A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
Pyramid Orchids, Ainsdale NNR Great to see several large drifts of Pyramid Orchids amongst the dunes. At this time of year by far the most common of the various Orchids living within the National Nature Reserve. Pyramid Orchid, Ainsdale NNR Bee Orchid, Ainsdale NNR A Read More …
Mount Vesuvius from Pompeii Before the infamous eruption of AD79 a 6600ft high Volcano. Post AD79 4,203 ft. Unbelievable that a third of the mountain was literally blown 20 miles into the air complete with molten lava, pumice and the pyroclastic flow and boiling mud Read More …
Male Brimstone at Chorlton Water Park Amazing the difference a bit of sunshine can make. On the insect front plenty of Peacocks, Brimstones, Small Tortoiseshell’s and Orange Tips around with the occasional Comma.The local Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Grasshopper Warblers have arrived to join the Chiffchaffs Read More …
Moschatel or The Town Hall Clock An easily overlooked plant typically found along woodland edges on limestone or chalk rich soil. Fortunately around the edge of Morecambe Bay there’s plenty of suitable habitat with this group of plants found close to Jenny Brown’s point in Read More …
Peacock butterfly nectaring on Willow catkins. In contrast to last month’s trip up north to Silverdale and Arnside on this occasion it was gloriously sunny. In fact, after 6 hrs in the sunshine I even managed to get slightly sunburnt. Great to see plenty of Read More …
Ainsdale late March 2013. A remarkable and ever changing landscape. Normally the location for a late Spring/Summer visit. On this occasion it was an opportunity to escape the maddening crowds of Formby. Red Velvet Mite One of the tiny insects normally dismissed as a “money Read More …
Sun is shining, the weather is sweet. Time to head out to Formby and check out one of Lancashire’s finest landscapes – the coastal pinewood and sand dunes of the Sefton coast. The star attraction – as an ex-member of the Tufty Club I’ve always Read More …
Scots Pine growing in the limestone pavement at Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve. The dry conditions result in Pines and Ash trees that typically grow extremely slowly. Naturally stunted many of these trees are several hundred years old. Primrose – the foodplant for the caterpillars Read More …
Wild Daffodils also known as the Lent Lily at Far Arnside, Cumbria Growing in the woodland floor adjacent to the cliffs Even occur in the limestone pavement exposed on the shore Mermaid’s Purse, one of the more common objects typically found along the shoreline. Read More …
